Railway Business

“NRC is a big black hole “ – Ataguba

• Says FG is just pouring taxpayers money away and getting excuses in return • NRC operations costs are 400% of revenues. It’s insolvent and not investible! • MTR of Hong Kong makes $1.8bn profit per annum, so what’s our excuse? •Corruption charges against senior management reinforces perception problem • Unbundling the NRC is only way to stop the haemorrhage…...

“NRC is a big black hole “ – Ataguba - Railway Business Magazine • Says FG is just pouring taxpayers money away and getting excuses in return • NRC operations costs are 400% of revenues. It’s insolvent and not investible! • MTR of Hong Kong makes $1.8bn profit per annum, so what’s our excuse? •Corruption charges against senior management reinforces pe...

The Senate on Tuesday constituted a 12-member ad hoc committee to investigate railway projects executed under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration through Chinese loans The committee was mandated to examine how the loans were obtained, determine if substandard materials were used, and evaluate the overall implementation of the projects across the country. The development followed a motion sponsored by Ede Dafinone (APC, Delta Central), who raised concerns over frequent technical breakdowns on the Warri–Itakpe standard gauge rail line....

Senate constitutes panel to probe railway projects executed under the Buhari administration - Railway Business Magazine The Senate on Tuesday constituted a 12-member ad hoc committee to investigate railway projects executed under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration through Chinese loans The committee was mandated to examine how the loans were obtained, determine if substandard materials were used, an...

The President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, PhD, has reaffirmed the private sector’s commitment to the growth and modernisation of Nigeria’s railway sector. He made this known while delivering his remarks on day two of the ongoing 2nd Abuja International Railway Conference and Exhibition holding at the Abuja Continental Hotel. Chief Obegolu, who also leads the Organised Private Sector (OPS) in the FCT, described the conference as “a strategic platform dedicated to connectivity, commerce, and national development,” stressing that railways remain central to industrialisation, trade facilitation, and regional integration in Africa....

ACCI Affirms Commitment to Nigeria's Railway Sector Development - Railway Business Magazine The President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, PhD, has reaffirmed the private sector’s

At the recent ICRC PPP Summit 2025 in Abuja, Mr Rowland Ataguba, CEO of Bethlehem Rail, London and member of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Unbundling Committee unveiled a radical plan for the Nigerian railways to make it investible for the private sector and bring about its long-term sustainability. Rail Bus caught up with him on the sidelines of the Afreximbank Annual Meetings 2025 in Abuja....

A Modern Nigerian Railway - Railway Business Magazine At the recent ICRC PPP Summit 2025 in Abuja, Mr Rowland Ataguba, CEO of Bethlehem Rail, London and member of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Unbundling Committee unveiled a radical plan for the Nigerian railways to make it investible for the private sector and bring about its long-term sustai...

The Mining Team of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) intercepted a trailer loaded with railway slippers on 20 June at Missu axis, Bauchi State. The slippers were hidden beneath sacks of sawdust, raising suspicion of deliberate concealment and intent to vandalise public infrastructure. Dr Kayode Opeifa, Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday....

NSCDC intercepts stolen railway slippers in Bauchi - Railway Business Magazine The Mining Team of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) intercepted a trailer loaded with railway slippers on 20 June at Missu axis, Bauchi State. The slippers were hidden beneath sacks of sawdust, raising suspicion of deliberate concealment and intent to vandalise public infrastruc...

AUSTRIA: The Star Alliance of 25 airlines has integrated Austrian Federal Railways services between Wien airport and Graz, Linz, Salzburg and Innsbruck into its booking processes. Air passengers can check in online or at ÖBB travel centres and receive boarding passes for both flight and train journeys. They can also earn points for the train journey in their preferred frequent flyer programme....

Train to plane partnership - Railway Business Magazine AUSTRIA: The Star Alliance of 25 airlines has integrated Austrian Federal Railways services between Wien airport and Graz, Linz, Salzburg and Innsbruck into its booking processes. Air passengers can check in online or at ÖBB travel centres and receive boarding passes for both flight and train journ...

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has launched an investigation into a fatal train accident that claimed the life of an unidentified woman along the Gwagwa-Idu railway line in Abuja. In a statement on Tuesday, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident, noting that the police received a distress call around 11am on March 24, 2025....

Train kills woman in Abuja, police begin probe - Railway Business Magazine The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has launched an investigation into a fatal train accident that claimed the life of an unidentified woman along the Gwagwa-Idu railway line in Abuja. In a statement on Tuesday, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incid...

Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has signed a new contract with SJ for the maintenance of night trains. The contract runs for two years and includes maintenance work at depots in Luleå and Stockholm. This is an important step in Alstom's long-term commitment in northern Sweden through increased investment and recruitment of maintenance employees. The contract covers 75 carriages and 12 RC6 locomotives used on night train routes Stockholm-Umeå-Luleå-Narvik....

Alstom, SJ sign contract for night train maintenance - Railway Business Magazine Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has signed a new contract with SJ for the maintenance of night trains. The contract runs for two years and includes maintenance work at depots in Luleå and Stockholm. This is an important step in Alstom’s long-term commitment in northern Sw...

The Industrial Revolution of the late 18th century laid the foundation for modern railways by introducing two key elements: the steam engine and tracks. However, it was not until 1804 that the first steam-powered railway train ran at the Penydarren ironworks in South Wales, UK. The first regular passenger train service began in 1830, connecting Manchester and Liverpool. Around the same time, the United States was developing its own rail system, commonly referred to as a ‘railroad’....

Advanced railway signalling and control systems - Railway Business Magazine The Industrial Revolution of the late 18th century laid the foundation for modern railways by introducing two key elements: the steam engine and tracks. However, it was not until 1804 that the first steam-powered railway train ran at the Penydarren ironworks in South Wales, UK. The first regular pas...

Hitachi Rail has secured a contract to implement its Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) digital signalling technology on Paris Metro Line 12, operated by RATP. The project is part of the OCTYS (Open Control Train Interchangeable Integrated System) 2030 programme, which aims to modernise metro operations in the French capital. The initial contract is valued at 20 million EUR, with the potential for additional orders amounting to 65 million EUR, including operational maintenance activities....

Hitachi Rail to Upgrade Paris Metro Line 12 with Digital Signalling - Railway Business Magazine Hitachi Rail has secured a contract to implement its Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) digital signalling technology on Paris Metro Line 12, operated by RATP. The project is part of the OCTYS (Open Control Train Interchangeable Integrated System) 2030 programme, which aims to modernise metro...

CAF has secured a contract to supply intercity trains to Morocco’s national railway operator, Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF). The agreement includes the delivery of 30 modern intercity trains, with an option for an additional 10 units. The contract also includes provisions for technical assistance and spare parts supply services. This marks CAF’s first project in Morocco. The contract is valued at nearly 600 million EUR, excluding potential additional options....

Morocco: CAF to supply 30 Intercity Trains to ONCF - Railway Business Magazine CAF has secured a contract to supply intercity trains to Morocco’s national railway operator, Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF). The agreement includes the delivery of 30 modern intercity trains, with an option for an additional 10 units. The contract also includes provisions for technical...

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced plans for Metro-North Railroad to introduce battery- and electric-powered locomotives for the Penn Station Access project, marking a nation first. This initiative is part of an expansion to provide New Haven Line service to Penn Station. The project aims to enhance connectivity between the Bronx and Midtown Manhattan while supporting environmental goals. The new locomotives will primarily draw power from overhead catenary wires but will switch to battery mode in areas where electrical traction power differs, such as Penn Station....

North to introduce battery, electric-powered locomotives - Railway Business Magazine Governor Kathy Hochul has announced plans for Metro-North Railroad to introduce battery- and electric-powered locomotives for the Penn Station Access project, marking a nation first. This initiative is part of an expansion to provide New Haven Line service to Penn Station. The project aims to enhanc...